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7/27/08 4:20 AM | Ricky Dimon
Gilles Simon has finally lost. Nicolas Kiefer survives the in-form Frenchman in a third-set tiebreaker on Saturday evening in the semifinals of the Rogers Cup.
An amazing two weeks came to an end at long last for Gilles Simon on Saturday afternoon in Toronto.
Nicolas Kiefer was the last man standing at the end of this all-unseeded semifinal affair, outlasting last week's Indianapolis champion 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-6(5) in just under three hours. He will play No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the final.
A rain delay halted play after the first point of the match, but Kiefer back out and took control early. An early break of serve followed by another allowed the German to serve for the set at 5-4, but he promptly surrendered that game over to Simon. Kiefer's collapse, exacerbated by poor serving throughout the opening frame of play, continued in the tiebreaker and Simon seized a one-set lead.
Neither man could get much going against the other's serve in round two, as Kiefer won only six return points and Simon won only seven. Most of the service points Simon threw away, however, came in one loose game and a single break was enough for Kiefer to level the match at a set apiece.
In fitting fashion, a final set marked by squandered opportunities, chokes, and serious cases of nerves progressed to another tiebreaker. Kiefer enjoyed a break advantage for most of the set, but he tightened up considerably while serving at 4-3. The No. 37 player in the world also blew an early mini-break in the 'breaker, but at 5-5 he came up with a huge serve and finished off the match with a stellar point set up by one his many dropshots.
Even in defeat, Simon was not blind to his incredible recent stretch of tennis. “I'm surprising myself every day,” said the 22nd-ranked Simon. “I try to keep all the good things I've done during the last few weeks to improve my game a little bit.”
“I'm very happy with the way I was winning today,” said Kiefer. “I didn't play my best tennis, but in the important moments I could pick up my game and I was playing pretty good.”
Kiefer and Nadal have squared off on three previous occasions and all three have already come this year. Nadal has won every match; most recently straight-set decision in the third round of Wimbledon.
Kiefer fired 11 aces and won 85 percent of his first-serve points.
Neither player was anywhere close to his standard of play from earlier in the week.
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janhavi, Nov 21, 2008 1:53 PM
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elle, Nov 10, 2008 2:11 AM
Gilles Simon
Nicolas Kiefer
Rogers Cup
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